Monday, January 2, 2012

Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last - Lee Lipsenthal, M.D.

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY - Read all the way down to enter to win one of two copies of this book from the publisher.

Publisher:  Crown Archetype
Pages:  224
Source: I received a copy for review from the publisher
Genre: Adult, Memoir

Dr. Lee Lipsenthal worked with Dr. Dean Ornish at the famed Preventive Medicine Research Institute. As medical director of the Institute, he helped thousands of patients to overcome their fear of pain and death and to embrace living life with joy every day. In his own life, happily married and the proud father of two remarkable children, Lee was similarly committed to living life fully and gratefully each day. The power of these beliefs was tested in July 2009, when Lee was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As Lee and his wife, Kathy, navigated his illness and treatment over the past two years, Lee discovered that he did not fear death. Instead of fearing the future, he took the time to practice gratitude, connect with his loved ones, and make every attempt to live a full life with each breath. Enjoy Every Sandwich is Lee’s lasting gift to his family, his friends, his colleagues and to readers.

Lee died on Tuesday, September 20. It is now our honor to spread Lee's message with this special book.


Watch this powerful book trailer:




The topic of this book is a tough one to read about.  The big "C" word, whether it deals with breast cancer, lung cancer, or any other type of cancer is scary.  It is scary to the person who has just heard the diagnosis and it is scary to their friends and family.  It is not an unfamiliar word in my family.  As a matter of fact this book is on its way to my sister.  She was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19.  After surgery and radiation she was clear of cancer for 20 years.  Eight years ago she was diagnosed with lung cancer.  It is slowly moving throughout her body.  Her outlook is like Lee's.  Instead of focusing on death, she has chosen to focus on life and living it to her fullest.  She is enjoying time with he grand kids and daughter.  Like Lee she prays and meditates daily.  I enjoyed reading his philosophy although some aspects of it differ from mine.  He said, "many religions use meditation and some just call it prayer. Some say prayer is talking to God or the universe and meditation is listening  to the answer'. (page 50).  I  believe some people will feel threatened by his belief system.  He doesn't knock any ones religious beliefs.  He actually encourages people to pray and meditate.   As a Christian I can tell you that I feel out of balance if I don't start my day with prayer and meditation.  No matter what your religious beliefs Lee is right about several things.  First we should acknowledge that bad things happen to good people, just like good things happen to them.  Second, we should create a life that is full of love and laughter.  We should never put ourselves into a box of our own making.  When my father was alive my mom would come to him with a problem.  He would handle it.  She often told him that it drove her nuts that he didn't seem to worry or care about the situation.  His reply was always the same, "I care about it and I'll handle it, but worrying about it won't change it one bit.  So at this point in time I "choose" not to worry about it because worry won't add anything to my life, but it can take so much away.

I think the overall message of this book is to live life to the fullest no matter what the situation.

Links
Official Website:   http://www.enjoyeverysandwich.net
Product Page:        http://bit.ly/tPecOt


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4 comments:

  1. Sounds so inspiring--would love to read it!

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  2. I have lost many friends and family to cancer. I have taken care of them when they were going through the pain and the heartache. It is not easy but it seems that when a person is ailing from a disease such as cancer, they pick one person who they know can handle it. I try to be as strong and caring as I can. I cry with them when they cry. I hold them when they need comforting. I pray with them and just do the best I can. I am not perfect, I make mistakes, but they know they can count on me to do whatever it takes to make them comfortable. Even if it means just sitting up all night by their bed so they can rest, just knowing someone is there if they need them. Love and prayers and caring. That is what gets them through it . It does not heal them , but at leasat I know I have done my best.

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  3. Lee, Can't wait to read this series. I enjoyed the video; it was a great read.
    Fantastic! This really helps, in terms of what to review and prepare for. Thank you.

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  4. Eagerly waiting for the series.I love the serials of such kind as they are very pretty and very interesting!
    dental

    ReplyDelete